Seems like there are a lot of drawbacks to this Nikon 1 system - small sensor, lot of review say poor low light performance, limited lenses compare to other m43 systems, no manual focus on the lenses (have to use the dial on the body), no touch sensitive LCD, non-mappable physical buttons, etc but then you have the rock bottom price that make it cheaper than even some point and shoots which includes the portable prime lens. Good thing there is enough positive review about this camera, and not enough camera knowledge on my part to know what I am missing out on

However, I am a little pissed at Nikon for 1. not including a flash, even just a little itty-bity one like the E-PM1 has; 2. offering more flash options like a hot shoe adapter; 3. a cheaper flash(ideally around 60-80 bucks).

Seems like there are a lot of drawbacks to this Nikon 1 system - small sensor, lot of review say poor low light performance, limited lenses compare to other m43 systems, no manual focus on the lenses (have to use the dial on the body), no touch sensitive LCD, non-mappable physical buttons, etc but then you have the rock bottom price that make it cheaper than even some point and shoots which includes the portable prime lens. Good thing there is enough positive review about this camera, and not enough camera knowledge on my part to know what I am missing out on

It's a super cheap price. Excellent camera for street shooting, shots of kids, traveling, outdoor stuff. I doubt many people are going to be using this as their only camera. Not really a big investment for good performance camera and two quality lenses - use it for a year or two and see where the Nikon 1 system is at then. Nothing stopping anyone from using and enjoying this now reselling this gear for $200-250 in a couple of years and moving to another system when the NEX and m43 prices drop and those cameras improve further. By that time the new gen of Nikon 1 bodies may be much better too. At this price you're getting the Nikon body for less than $100 when you factor in the price of the two lenses.

The sensor is way better than the LX7, S110, etc. and most people are probably only using this to compliment a DSLR, I know I am.

Seems like there are a lot of drawbacks to this Nikon 1 system - small sensor, lot of review say poor low light performance, limited lenses compare to other m43 systems, no manual focus on the lenses (have to use the dial on the body), no touch sensitive LCD, non-mappable physical buttons, etc but then you have the rock bottom price that make it cheaper than even some point and shoots which includes the portable prime lens. Good thing there is enough positive review about this camera, and not enough camera knowledge on my part to know what I am missing out on

I went to the store today and this deal expired yesterday. It's back up to $529 kit only. If you ordered too late maybe they cancelled the order on you

Edit: Weird, still shows the sale price online with no indication of expiry date although the sales I talked to today totally discouraged buying Nikon, saying the lens selection is too limited at 3, and the adaptor alone is $300 but then makes the camera bulky which defeats the purpose of the mirrorless system. He recommended a Panasonic mirrorless > Olympus mirrorless > Sony mirrorless then the Nikon. He also said this Nikon would be not much different in low light conditions than a point and shoot which was one of our primary reasons for wanting to upgrade our camera. Sick of all the grainy crappy low light shots, or washed out flash shots.

- The mechanical shutter is very quiet. Slightly louder than a regular P&S, minus the fake shutter noise, of course. And the electronic shutter is totally silent. I am leaving it on mechanical for now just so I know I had pressed the shutter all the way down and taken a picture.

You do realize that you can use the electronic shutter with a fake shutter sound right? That way, you will have zero wear and tear on the mechanical shutter.

heh I probably won't ever use manual focus, but the wife is in her "learning how to photograph" phase since the kids showed up, so who knows maybe at some point she will want to. It also seemed like all the online reviews complained about this aspect, but then again the reviewers were probably all snobbish "expert" photographers who insist on every feature or it's crap heheh. I remember like 8 years ago we bought a Sony P&S cuz my wife liked how small it was and how it looked, and I think it even cost more than this Nikon and I didn't even think twice about buying it. At the end of the day I'm probably wasting too much effort and thinking over $400. Gonna go pick this thing up later today.

- The NEX camera are noisy 'clackers' when you take a picture. Being able to shoot silently with the Nikon 1 can be invaluable for candid photography when you want to capture natural expressions or situations without making subject(s) aware that you are even shooting. Silence is invaluable in quiet settings such as a live performance or museum etc.

The newer mid/high range NEX have an electronic first curtain shutter option that makes it quieter (7 and 5N has this at the very least). My old NEX-5 doesn't, unfortunately, and makes a very annoying clack depending on how quiet the area is. However, given the number of low-light photos I've successfully taken, I wouldn't trade it for a camera that has 1/4 the sensor size.

As mentioned too, it has DSLR level shooting performance, the NEX does not.

You guys seem to be ragging it a lot without having either camera. If you're looking for a DSLR, you get a DSLR. If you want something slightly smaller than a DSLR, then get a NEX or micro4/3. What it *sounds* like you guys want is a P&S with a bigger sensor and interchangable lens, not a DSLR. Size-wise, the NEX is actually *SMALLER* than the V1 if you exclude the lenses, and not that much longer if you do include both stock zoom ones.

I bought an original NEX-5, I'm quite happy with it (despite the fact I would've preferred a Canon). The V1 has quite a number of features appear to be tailored to cater to the DSLR crowd, but the lack of at least a micro4/3-sized sensor is a bit of a turnoff. The smaller sensor enables them to get better magnification using similar-sized lenses, but I'm not seeing that as much of a benefit except for speed at the expense of quality. If the speed is good enough most of the time, I think most people would rather have quality over quantity.

And comparing my vacation pics with my friend who has a T3i, there is hardly much of a difference (except that camera was more of a handful for him to carry around). Comparing a T3i and a NEX-5 are in the same league. The V1 is hardly in the same league as a NEX and anyone saying otherwise is just kidding themselves. The V1 is more comparable with a micro4/3.

I purchased this camera. I own a d3100, d7000....and my overall-lifetime favorite FE. Being of the generation that learned from the FE (the best of the best), I never really appreciated the new digital cameras...save the wonderful convenience and quality of my titantium Canon digital elph, among other digital compact cameras. My dSLR experience...was totally Nikon, from the time that I totally hooked when I attached a dedicated 90mm macro on the FE. I recently have coveted the Fuji mirorless X1 (not sure)...at about 1500$. The Nikon V1 appeared on the scene and I am more than intrigued. I follow the debate...from listening as the Nikon engineers describe the 5 year engineering feat of the production of this camera.

The FE-folk --- like myself -- saw no problem...understood that 10 megapixels is more than enough---small processor---fine---need a walkabout camera that has a great feel--okay I lose a little depth--don't achieve the bokeh of a 35mm (I have gear that can do this and more), and takes good pictures--likes being able to change a lens (and NO....the proprietary adaptor than can utililize a GIGANTIC lens...while being possible is ludricous to the nth degree--Afterall, great pictures are produced--firstly in the mind of the photographer--only to be enhanced by the equipment/glass.

This is a nice camera. The jury is out on what Nikon has as its 'end-game'---would love to be a fly on the wall at Nikon Engineering meetings on the Mirorless cameras---mind you, this is just an indication of the huge engineering-revolution in the new generation of cameras. I am rambling---but I am delighted with my purchase. How low Nikon will go with these cameras will be very interesting--can't be much lower, because of what will rub off on the new models. As I said---the FE--generation -- is surplanted in $$ and desire by a new generation than NEEDS a great GRIP, an on-board flash===(the proprietary flash of the V! is BEAUTIFUL---a tinker-gadget--got it--love it)--aa larger sensor, and more mega-pixels--all of which are totally uncesscary to the genius of the V1 and the creativity of its user. Have it-love it!